Does your horse get supplements? Do you think supplements are worthwhile or a waste of money? Or maybe you are, like me, somewhat ambivalent about them? Because it really depends on what the supplements are and the individual horse, right? Eli does get some supplements. So here, I am talking specifically about the daily feed-through … Continue reading Supplements or No?

I have switched up what Eli goes in lately, partly in effort to help build up his back strength and partly because it's freaking cold. Eli wears many different things, and this is merely a fraction of Eli's complete wardrobe. (I am going to talk about the CWD bridle and Myler snaffle in another post.) … Continue reading Current Tack Set Up

After three weeks of rest, Conrad finally got to go back to the park! Three days in a row! He was very tired after all this ... Now I just need to find him another mobile groomer -- the owners of the franchise we used retired.

This winter I have only had sporadic opportunities to work with Eli. That meant that he got a bit feral under saddle and a bit back sore from weakened muscles. Add to this cold weather and the whole combination is ugly. (The bright spot is that he seems to understand how to behave on the … Continue reading Consistency

Is it possible for one horse to have too many bits? Too many bridles? No. This is most definitely not within the realm of possibility. My Dad and I had a conversation about bits the other day, and how they are like jewelry to equestrians. And I sent my Dad pictures of Eli's bits. Of … Continue reading Bits Are Like Jewelry

I have no idea how many of you watched Westminster, but the dachshund most definitely won the popular vote! Anyway, Conrad is getting very tired of taking antibiotics and wearing clothes in the house. I am hopeful we can spend a little extra outside time in the park on Saturday. We haven't been since before … Continue reading Weenie Wednesday: Mood

I tried stuff on Eli over the weekend, and ultimately selected The Northwind Medium Weight Turnout Blanket and the Riders Supreme Turnout Sheet. I went ahead and ordered the Northwind because it was $99 at the time I placed the order. Plus Dover offers free returns on sized-items. The Riders sheet is still on sale … Continue reading Blanket of Choice

Ahhh ... context. Because analyzing situations in a vacuum may lead to misconceptions. I've got three minor setbacks to go over today that would actually look a lot more than minor if it weren't for the circumstances surrounding them. I had to remind myself of such circumstances to keep from questioning my decisions. The first … Continue reading Minor Setbacks

Conrad's activity has been restricted while he's recovering from his surgeries. Mostly, he's been irritated with having to wear a shirt in the house, but it's to keep him from scratching at his sutures. The biggest difference in his routine has been no walks to the park. This happens sometimes anyway because of weather, but … Continue reading Weenie Wednesday: Almost All “Rested”

I finally rode Eli four days IN A ROW. He was pretty lit up for 3 of those days, but finally great to ride by day 4. That's really all it takes -- regular work, and he's a dream. Fall out of that schedule for whatever reason and he gets spooky and nervous. He's never … Continue reading Changing It Up